APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2014 deer hunting season are currently being accepted at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hunters have until Friday, March 6 to apply.
Photo Courtesy of Brent Stettler | Utah DWR

BOUNTIFUL – The always-popular deer and elk hunt may have been over for a few months, but the excitement of getting a permit for the following season is always something hunters look forward to.

Big game hunting applications are currently being accepted, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be accepting applications until Friday, March 6.

Applications for permits must be accepted no later than 11 p.m. on that day, and results of the big game draw will be available on or before Friday, May 30.

Applications are currently being accepted for every hunt except the general-season bull elk hunt, which will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting Thursday, July 10.

Hunters who are a part of the Dedicated Hunter program will have the ability to hunt all three general deer hunts this year (archery, muzzleloader and rifle), but only if they are part of the program.

Hunters that wish to join the program must complete an online orientation course and apply for and draw a 2014 general deer hunting permit.

Those that complete the orientation and draw for a permit will be able to hunt all three hunts this season.

For hunters who do not want to hunt in 2014, they can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point for the 2015 hunting season.

Applying for a bonus or preference point increases the chances of drawing a permit during the next application window.

Applications for preference or bonus points will be accepted through Thursday, March 20. A hunting license or combination license must be obtained in order to apply for a point or permit.

Hunting units will remain the same for the upcoming season. Before 2012, hunters were allowed to hunt in five large regions; however, the regions have been reduced into 30 smaller units throughout the state.

Lifetime license holders have the opportunity to choose which general deer hunting unit they would like to hunt on.

Hunters who want to obtain one must complete the online lifetime license questionnaire and select the unit they want to hunt in.

The questionnaire must be completed by Thursday, March 6, and can only be completed online at utah-hunt.com.

Hunters who missed the application deadline will have to try and purchase a general deer permit that wasn’t taken in the draw.